Job Description

_ ROLE OVERVIEW_

The Special Populations Achievement Specialist will serve as a resource to special education faculty and school leaders in the area of curriculum and instruction. They will work cooperatively with instructional faculty and regional curriculum teams to provide an appropriate education program for students with disabilities throughout the region. This position furthers the mission of KIPP Texas Public Schools as it helps ensure that all students have the tools and the supportive environment they need to learn.

_ RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES_

The Special Populations Achievement Specialist will:

_ 1. Coaching and Support:_

• Provide coaching to school-based special education managers across all grade bands, including self-contained classrooms.

• Identify schools and teachers in need of more hands-on support and offer planning time and office hours for targeted assistance.

• Distill KTX instructional priorities (explicit instruction and universal design for learning) into actionable steps for school-based coaches and teachers to drive the work forward.

• Deliver and record model lessons to demonstrate effective instructional strategies.

• Provide feedback on lesson plans, lesson delivery, and assessment results.

_ 2. Data Analysis and Improvement:_

• Analyze student data, including MAP, IA, STAAR, and STEP assessments etc, to inform instructional decisions and interventions.

• Recognize patterns in student performance data and make recommendations for professional development and instructional improvements.

• Use data to identify and support the academic needs of students with disabilities.

_ 3. Stakeholder Engagement:_

• Cultivate the trust of key stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and administrators, to support student success.

• Maintain productive working relationships with other internal departments and lead troubleshooting efforts when issues arise with special education.

• Serve as the Academics Team Liaison, ensuring effective communication and collaboration between teams.

_ 4. Professional Development:_

• Co-facilitate professional development sessions focused on instructional strategies and best practices for special education.

• Support/provide monthly PD, newsletter input, communication, to provide ongoing coaching and guidance to the school-based coaches.

• Develop and deliver training on district structures, processes, and procedures necessary to support effective MTSS systems.

_ 5. Compliance and Documentation:_

• Ensure that IEPs and other special education documentation are compliant with federal, state, and district regulations.

• Participate in IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and other relevant meetings to discuss student progress

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

_ Education and Knowledge_

• Bachelor’s degree required

• Master’s degree preferred

• 5+ years experience teaching with a focus on special education services

• Knowledge of the 13 eligibility categories under IDEA and how they impact achievement

• Knowledge of content standards and assessments

• Knowledge of the KTX instructional priorities (Explicit Instruction and Universal Design for Learning)

_ Skills_

• Effective collaboration and communication skills

• Ability to prioritize and initiate tasks, manage time, and complete multiple projects within tight deadlines

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational and planning skills

• Strong analytical skills

• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy is necessary

• Strong follow-up and follow-through skills necessary

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is based on years of experience, degree of education, and level of expertise.

As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance, fertility, and disability plans starting as low as $25/month.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.